Why You Should Seriously Never Use Q-Tips Inside Your Ears

But this cleansing ritual is actually counter-productive and possibly dangerous, and Q-tips advises against it: While you might see some residue on the swab, you’re probably pushing wax further into the canal.

“Wax is a safety device that keeps our ear safe from insects,” Shapiro says. Our bodies create wax for a reason, and prodding at it with a cotton swab is keeping it from doing its job. If you really feel as though your ears need a good cleaning, leave the work to the medical experts and schedule an appointment with your doctor. Watch the video above for more.